Louis van Gaal will take charge of Netherlands for the final time before his move to Manchester United (Picture: AP)

He may see it as a meaningless fixture but the World Cup third place play-off match against Brazil will be Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal’s final game in charge of the national team.

The Dutch saw their chances of winning their first ever World Cup dashed on penalties by Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday, but Van Gaal can be proud of what he has achieved with a side that seemed in tatters when he took charge two years ago.

Van Gaal had previously coached the national team, but quit after failing to qualify for the World Cup in 2002. The normally egotistical coach described his first spell with Netherlands as the worst of his career, and he took over in 2012 with a clear mission to erase those memories.

The successful former Bayern Munich and Ajax coach started by repairing the damage that was left behind by Bert van Marwijk, who’s tenure ended in a disastrous exit from Euro 2012 where the players did most of their battling off the pitch, and whimpered out with three defeats.

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Confidence was restored, relationships repaired, and Van Gaal’s side qualified for the World Cup at a canter without losing a single game.

Despite this the Netherlands went into the tournament as rank outsiders, with the loss of key midfielder Kevin Strootman seen as a huge blow, while the Dutch defence was ridiculed by most so called pundits. Many believed the Dutch would fail to get out of the group stage, let alone reach a semi-final.

However Van Gaal had a plan, and more importantly a point to prove in Brazil, with every decision the coach made coming up trumps.

Firstly his decision to switch from the Dutch tradition of 4-3-3 to 5-3-2 saw the Dutch demolish defending champions Spain, while his changes from the bench inspired victories over Australia, Chile, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

The coach had got the best out of his players, with Dirk Kuyt a revelation at wing back, while the often criticized Ron Vlaar played like a man possessed in central defence, and didn’t put a foot wrong all tournament.

Netherlands went beyond everyone’s expectations with Van Gaal the mastermind, but fate went against the coach in the semi-finals against Argentina.

A yellow card to Bruno Martins Indi, and Nigel de Jong’s injury forced Van Gaal into making two defensive substitutions, and limited his ability to change the attack which he had done to perfection previously. There would be no chance of a Tim Krul switch in extra time, and the Dutch succumb to spot-kicks.

Trophies followed every club that appointed Van Gaal as coach, but the semi-final exit prevents what would have been his most remarkable triumph to date.

However Van Gaal has restored pride back to the national team, and leaves for Manchester United with his reputation at an all time high.